A metal ore is a rock which contains metal. Most metals need to be extracted using a chemical reaction. Either by reduction or by electrolysis.
Reduction with Carbon-This is exracting a metal chemically by reduction using carbon. When an ore is reduced, oxygen is removed. The position of the metal in the reactivity series determines whether it can be extracted by reduction with carbon. Metals higher than carbon have to be extracted using electrolysis whereas metals below carbon can be extraced by reduction using carbon. When an ore is heated in a furnace it is called smelting.
Electrolysis-Electrolysis is the breaking down of a substance using electricity. It requires a liquid to conduct the electricity, called a electrolyte. The electrolyte has free ions- these conduct the electricity.
Exracting copper-Bioleaching- using bacteria to separate copper from copper sulfide. The bacteria get energy from the bond between copper and sulfur, separating the copper from the ore. The copper can then be extracted by filtering.
Phytomining- Growing plants in soil that contains copper. The copper gradually builds up in the leaves which can then be harvested, dried and burned in a furnace.
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